Improvement in poultry-coops



-F. M. BLANC.

Poultry-Coops.

Patented June 1, 18 25.

No.l63,97l.

- INVENTOR. ufi'm ATTORNEY.

THE GRAPHIC C0.PHOTO-L TH-39&4'l PARK PLACE,N.Y.

NITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

FRED ERIO M. BLANG, OF WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF HIS RIGHT TO THOMAS V. PURSELL, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN POULTRY-COOPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 163,97 l, dated J une 1, 1875; application filed May 11, 1875.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FREDERIG M. BLANO, of Winchester, county of Frederick and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Coops, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings making part of this specification, in which Figure l is a perspective view of my improved coop as it appears when adapted for use. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the coop when folded for transportation. .Fig. 3 is a partial vertical longitudinal section, showing the man ner of hinging the ends; and Fig. 4 is a partial end elevation, showing one of the jointed and pivoted end uprights in its relation to the top and bottom frames, and partially folded.

Similar letters of reference denote corresponding parts of the coop wherever used.

The invention consists in a novel combination of hinged and jointed sides and hinged ends with the top and bottom rectangular frames of the coop, whereby, without removing or detaching any of the parts, a coop of any desired size may be folded within the limits of the space occupied by the top and bottom frames only, all as hereinafter explained.

In the accompanying drawings, Arepresents the bottom frame of the coop, consisting of a flooring secured at its ends to "ertical strips or timbers a a, and B represents the upper frame or top of the coop, consisting of a series of longitudinal slats or strips united at their ends to pendent transverse strips or timbers l) b, forming a rectangular frame corresponding in size to and matching the bottom frame A a. To the timbers a b, at each end and upon their inner adjacent faces, are pivoted the upper and lower ends of corner uprightsO, which are jointed midway of their length, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the two parts being connected by hinges c, which permit them to fold inward upon each other, as shown in Fig. 2--the squared ends of the uprights G, at the joint, abut-ting against each other, when the posts or timbers are brought into the upright position shown in Fig. 1, and preventing the joint or hinge from being flexed, except in one direction only, as shown in Fig. 4. To the two parts of the jointed uprights longitudinal bars or strips D are secured, uniting the two uprights upon the same side, and notched or let into said uprights to permit the two parts each of the latter to fold upon each other, as explained. The ends of the coop consist of upright strips or pieces E united by transverse slats or bars 0, forming rectangular frames or ends of a length corresponding to the width of the coop and fitting between the corner posts 0. These ends are hinged at c to the top slats B, the hinges being secured to the inner faces of the end frames and to the top slats B at a point sufficiently removed from the end strips to a to permit the jointed uprights 0, when folded, to lie between the strips to and the hinged ends of the end frames, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

When the coop is in shape for use the end frames assume a vertical position, turning down, upon their hinges, between the uprights O, and being fastened thereto by button f or other suitable or convenient fastenings, effectually prevent the joints in said uprights from being flexed.

When the coop is empty, and it is desired to fold it .for transportation, it is turned over upon its top, the buttons f turned to release the ends E e, and the latter folded inward upon their hinges e. The jointed uprights are then folded inward upon each other, as explained, causing the parts to assume the'position shown in Fig. 2, the top and bottom frames, with their end strips a b, inclosing the other parts and bringing the entire coop within the limits of the space occupied by said frames alone. In this position the top and bottom frames are united or fastened together by hooks g or other convenient fastening device, when they are ready for shipment and transportation.

Any suitable arrangement of door aifordin g access to the coop may be employed.

I have shown one of the top slats H held in place by plates h h and pins t in such manner that, by withdrawing the pins, the slats may be moved endwise far enough to afford access to the coop; but any other form of door preferred may be used.

By the construction and arrangement of the parts as shown and described, it will be seen that none are required to be detached or removed either in setting up or in folding the coop, while, at the same time, the coop, when folded, is brought within the smallest practicable compass or limits, viz., the space occupied by the top and bottom frames.

[Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The combination, with the top and bottom frames A B, of the jointed and folding sides 0 D and the hinged folding ends E, all arranged and operating in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

FREDERIO M. BLANU.

Witnesses:

E. S. BRENT, B. BOVAN. 

